Oil and gas separator



J. P. WALKER OIL'AND GAS SEPARQA'I'OR Qriginal Filed March 15, 192' Feb.24, 1931.

2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Feb. 24, 1931. J. P. WALKER OIL AND GASSEPARATOR Original Filed March 15, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet P ATTORNE/YReiesued Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE i JAY I. WALKER, OFTULSA, OKLAHOMA, ASSIGNOR OF FOB-TY PER CENT TO GUY O. MARGHANT AND SIXPER CENT T0 0. G. WELLS, OF TULSA, OKLAHOMA OIL AND GAS Original No.1,661,685, dated This invention relates to new and useful improvementsin oil and gas separators.

The object of the invention is to provide improved means for effecting aseparation of oil and gas either under a low pressure or under a highpressure and to provide new improved apparatus for this purpose.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a tank provided withoil and gas inlets-which latter are arranged so asto convert a stream offluid from a pipe into a tangentially directed spray having its greatestdimension -in a vertical plane contiguous to the inner surface of thewall of the tank, thereby effecting the initialor first step in theseparation of the oil and gas, due to the oil being heavier than the gasand tending to fall to the bottom of the spray and thus being started ona downward helical course within the tank.

A further object of the invention is toprovide a shell within the tankhaving openings well above the inlets so that the gas and oil vaporswhich rise from the spray may enter said shell, which is equipped withmeans for scrubbing the fluid and further separating the oil and gas, aswell as increasing the velocity of the fluid, whereby centrifugal actionis utilized in scrubbing and separating.

Another object of the invention is to provide a vertical separatingcylinder within the shell having its bottom formed into an oilcollecting trough and provided with inlets near its bottom and below theinlets to the shell, for retarding the escape of the gas and forprolonging the scrubbing and centrifugal action within the shell.

A still further object of the invention is to provide means at theentrance of the cylinder for deflecting oil therefrom; together with a'vertical deflector within the cylinder opposite the entrance openingsthereof for further scrubbing the fluids. l

An important object of the invention is the provision of oil drainingconductors for the shell, the deflectors and the baffles, havlng theirdischarge ends located below the normal gas space within the tank. f

Still another object ofthe invention is to provide means at the bottomof the tank for checking the whirlingmotion of the oilso SEPARATOR March6, 1928, Serial No. 175,445, filed March 15, 1927. Application forreissue filed July 26, 1929. Serial No. 381,345.

that the sand and sediment will settle to the bottom of the tank. a Aconstruction designed to carry out the lnvent-ion will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specifi catlon and by reference to the accompanying drawings,in which an example of the invention is shown and wherein: V

Figure 1 is an elevation of a separator constructed in accordance withmy invention,

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same,

F igure-3 is a horizontalcross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 ofFigure 2,

Figure 4 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken on the line 44 ofFigure 1, v

.Figure 5 is a similar view taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2, andFigure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional View taken on the line 66-ofFigure 2, and omitting the vertical deflector.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates an upright cylindrical tankhaving a crowned top 11 and a dished bottom 12 elevated sufiiciently forthe connection of a drain pipe 13 thereunder. This may be equipped witha suitable cutofi' valve [not shown]. At

the central portion'of thetank I provide equidistant inlet nozzles v14for connecting with the pipes which supply the oil and gas to beseparated. These nozzles are welded into the side of the tank, orotherwise suitably secured, and each nozzle is flared vertically andreduced longitudinally so that it is made cylindrical at its outer end15 for connecting with the supply pipe, while its inner or dischargeend. is converted into a narrow rectantgullatr opening 16 disposedvertically of the Each nozzle is disposed substantially tangentially tothe cylindrical wall of the tank with the result that the. stream offluid re ceived from the supply pipe is converted into a verticalsprayor sheet directed circumferentially within the tank. The oil beingheavier than the gas and the opening being vertically elongated, it isobvious that the oil will tend to settle to the bottom of each nozzle asit passes'therethrough, and thus as it enters the tank, the oil willtend to segregate into the lower portion of the spray and will bestarted around the tank in a slightly downward helical course, while thegaseous fluids will tend to rise in the nozzles and the sprays and willthus be started around the tank in a slightly upward helical course. Theforegoing will produce the first or initial step in the separation.

A cylindrical shell 17 is concentrically mounted within the tank, havingits upper end suitably fastened to the top 11. The shell is spacedsufiiciently from the wall of the tank to provide an annular-channel 18into which the oil and gas is introduced and circulated. At its upperend the shell is provided with vertical inlet openings 19 located in itsside wall. Within the shell are arranged a plurality of equally spaceddeflectors 20 which have portions 21'extending inwardly beyond the sideedges of the openings 19. Outwardly directed flanges 10 are fastenedaround three sides of the openings 19, so that the fluids in passingaround the shell and entering the openings 19 must deflect outwardly andaround the edges of the flanges in order to enter said openings. Thiswill divert oil running down the outside of the shell and prevent itentering the shell.

T he gas and oil vapors from the sprays follow their helical courseupwardly in the channel 18 and enter the shell through the openings '19,while the separated oil flows downwardly in the tank to the bottomthereof. In order to check the centrifugal motion of the oil at thebottom of the tank, I provide. a diametrical upright baffle 22 supportedon legs 23 secured to the bottom 12. This checking of the whirlingmotion of the oil will cause the sand and sediment to settle to thebottom 12 and below an outlet pipe 24, through which by the velocity ofthe fluid is increased and a scrubbing action is started. The extensions21 direct the fluid circumferentially within the shell and the scrubbingaction coupled with the centrifugal motion of the fluid causes a furtherseparation of the oil and gaseous fluids. r

The oil which passes down the inner walls of the shell, together withany other oil or heavy particles falling in the shell, is caught in aninclined trough- 25, which closes the bottom of the shell. A drain pipe26 leads from the trough to the lower portion of the tank. It isimportant that the drain pipe 26 extend below the oil level in the tank,otherwise gas might rise therein and interfere with the separation inthe shell 17 and cylinder 27. It will be noted that the openings 16 inthe side walls of the tank- 10 extend below the hopper bottom trough 27gaseous fluids do not lose their directed courses.

A separating cylinder 27 depends from the top 11 concentrically withinthe shell. This cylinder has its upper end suitably fastened to the topwhile its lower end is .closed by'a The cylinder is somewhat less indiameter than the shell so as to provide an annular space 28 therebe-,

tween,-similar to thechannel 18. The fluid which is discharged from thedeflectors 20 is directed into the space 28 and carried therearound.Before the gaseous fluid can escape,- it must pass downward in the space28. A short distance above the lower end of the cylinder are severalrows of staggered holes 28 which are punched so as to form burrs on theinside which will deflect oil running down inside of the cylinder andprevent its admixture with the gas entering said' A central gas escapepipe 29 extends from apoint within the upper end of the cylinder pipes32 down through the troughs 27 and 25 to a horizontal pipe 30 extendingthrough the side of the tank between the bottom 12 and the bailie 22. Inorder to accommodate the pipe 29, the trough 25 is so formed that itsdrain pipe 26 may be positioned to one side of the central pipe 29. Thetrough 27 is similarly formed and a. drain pipe 33 leads therefrom tothe trough 25.

Within the cylinder 27 a vertical cylindri-' cal deflector 34 isconcentrically mounted around the pipe 29 on the trough 27. Thedeflector is open at its top and extends about half way the height ofthecylinder 27 and well above the holes 28. An angular space or channel 35is formed between the cylinder and the deflector. The gaseous fluidsentering through the holes 28' contact with the vertical walls of thedeflector, thus scrubbing out the oil which runs down the deflector tothe trough 27. Oil lodging in the deflector is caught in the deflectorand escapes through a drain pipe 36.

The pipe 29 has its upper end open and a short distance below the top11. lar deflector plate 39 is suspended from the top 11 above the openend of the pipev so that the gaseous fluids in entering said pipe arecaused to make a sharp turn, whereby a final separationof oil and gasproperties is carried out. A normally closed outlet 40 in the top 11over the deflector 39 may beopened for' the purpose of taking oil gassamples. A connection 41 [F ig. 1] may be included in A circuthe top 11for the purpose of connecting a safety device.

It is pointed out, that the gaseous fluid which rises in the channel 18,after the initial separation of the oil and gas entering through 1 thenozzle 14, must flow to the top of said channel before escaping into theshell 17. In making this ascent, the fluid takes a helical course and anopportunity is thus given for the precipitation of liquids and solids,which will fall to the bottom of the tank. The gaseous fluid uponentering the deflectors 20 is subjected to a'reduction in pressure,

whereby the circumferentially directed fluid passes around the space 28under an increased velocity. The fluid must pass down ward and then intothe cylinder 27, which causes a further separation. The flanges 10'around the holes 19, the trough 31 and burred o enings 28' all act torobthe gaseous fluid 0% oil which is conducted to the bottom of -the tank.The deflector 34 co-acting with the deflector 39 effect a finalscrubbing and separation before the ases pass into the pipe 29.

It will be seen t at all vertical walls within the shell 17, thecylinder 27 and the deflector 34, are drained and the liquids conducteddirectly to the trou h 25 or by the pipes 33 and 36 and then t rough thepipe 26 tothe bottom of the tank.

In; connection with the operation of the apparatus it is ointed out thatthe influent upon'entering' t 1e nozzles 14 from the well pipes[notf'sho'wn] is permitted to expand or fan in a vertical direction,whereby the heavier properties tend to gravitate to the bottom of thenozzle; while the lighter or gaseous properties seek the upper portionof each nozzle. Thus before the enfluent is discharged through therestricted opening 16 an initial separation, induced by gravity, hastaken place. 7

While there is some expansion in the nozzles the major expansion takesplace in the tank uporf'the entrance of the influent. The

influent lipon entering the tank takes a helical cours being spread uponthe inner wall of the taiik and directed tangentiallythere around. "i

This expansion into the full area of the tank is very important as itpermits the heavier liquids and solids to take a dOWIlWald helicalcourse, which owing to its length of travel ermits the entrained gaseousfluids to free t emselves before reaching the oil level in the tank. I y

The theory of separation is based on the fact that by the time theinfluent reaches the oil level the lighter iiconstituents or gaseous.

6i) fluids will have been released and, therefore, there will bepractically no gases rising from the stored oil. The initial expansionof the influent in the'nozzles and thef further expansion within thetank, together with the tangential direction of the influent onthe innerwall of the tank, will cause the lighter fluids to take a helical courseupwardly in the tank and into-the annular space 18.

Upon entering this space the gaseous fluids upon contacting with thewall of the tankand the outer surface of the shell 17, will be scrubbed,whereby some of the liquids will be removed. Before the vapors orgaseous fluids can enter the space 28 they must climb around :theoutwardly directed flanges 19 which surround the openings 19, wherebyfurther moisture will be extracted.

The fluids upon passing through the openings 19 are directedtangentially in the space 28 by the deflectors 20. WVithin this spacethe gaseous fluids are again expanded and caused 1 to take a downwardhelical course. Owing to the expansion and the scrubbing actionentrained moisture is extracted from the fluids. Liquids passing downthe shell 17 are caught in the trough 25 and liquids pass-1 ing down thecylinder 27 are caught in the trough 31. When the fluids reach theopenings 28 their direction of flow is changed to a straight horizontalpath so that upon passing through said opening they strike against thedeflector cylinder 34. The fluids in passing through the openings 28 area ain sub ject to a reduction in pressure and t us'upon entering thecylinder 27 again expand, whereby entrained liquids are liberated.

The gaseous fluids are now permitted to rise within the cylinder 27 andare given a final scrubbing. Only those fluids which reach the top ofthe pipe 29 can enter and to escape they must first climb over the edgeof the pipe 29 or strike the deflector 39 before entering said pipe.After going through the various stages of expansion all of the solid andliquid particles will be removed from the fluid when it enters the pipe29. It is to be noted that the lighter properties upon path, beforeescaping, and the numerousscrubbing and expansion operations aresufficzent to extract substantially all moisture.

It will be-understood that the influent which enters the tank from thenozzle 14 is not a solid liquid, but is an admixture of gas and oil,thus being partly gaseous and partly liquid. The gaseous fluids whichpass through the upper portion of the tank are commonly referred to as amist. The gaseous fluids whirling around in the chamber 28 will be inthe form of a mist and the cylinder 27 with its holes 28 acts as a mistextractor because it tendsto remove the moisture or liquids from thegaseous fluid.

Various changes in the size and scope of the different parts, as well asmodifications and alterations, may be made within the scope oftheappended claims.

l/Vhat claim is:

1. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, fluid inlets in thesides of the tank, a shell within the tank spaced from the tank walls,fluid inlets at the upper end of the shell above the tank inlets, aseparating cylinder in the shell having its upper portion closed andprovided with a fluid inlet cominunicating with the shell, a gas escapepipe leading from the upper portion of the'cylinder, and an oil outletleading-from the lower end of the tank.

2. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, fluid inlets in thesides of the tank, a shell within the tank spaced from the tank walls,fluid inlets at the upper end of the shell above the tank inlets, aseparating cylinder in the shell having its upper portion closed andprovided with a fluid inlet communicating with the shell, a gas escapepipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder, an oil outletleading from the lower end of the tank, and a deflector located in thecylinder below the entrance end of the gas escape pipe.

3. In an oil gas separator, an upright tank,

fluid inlets in the sides of the tank, a shell withinthe tank spacedfrom the tank walls, fluid inlets at the upper end of the shell abovethe tank inlets, a separating cylinder in the shell having its upperportion closed and provided with a fluid inlet communicating with theshell, a gas escape pipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder,an oil outlet leading from the lower end of the tank, and drainconductors extending downwardly from the shell and cylinder.

4. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, fluid inlets in thesides of the tank, a

' shell within the tank spaced from the tank walls, fluid inlets at theupper end of the shell above the tank inlets, a separating cylinder inthe shell having its upper portion closed and provided with a fluidinlet communicabing with the shell, a gas escape pipe leading from theupper portion of the cylinder, an oil outlet leading-from the lower endof the tank, a deflector located in the cylinder below the entrance endof the gas escape pipe, and drain conductors extending downwardly fromthe shell, cylinder and deflector.

' 5. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, fluid inlets in thesides of the tank, a shell within the tank spaced from the tank walls,fluid inlets at the upper end of the shell above the tank inlets, aseparating cylinder in the shell having its upper portion closed andprovided with a fluid inlet com municating with the shell, a gas escapepipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder, an oil outletleading from the lower endof the tank, and a horizontally disposeddeficctor over the upper end of the gas escape 6. In an oil and gasseparator, an upright tank having a closed top, fluid inlets at thecentral portion of thetank having means and effecting an initialseparation of the oil and gas, a shell depending within the upperportion of the tank, inlets at the upper portion of the shell havingmeans for increasing the velocity of the fluid entering the shell fromthe tank, a separating cylinder depending from the top of the tankwithin the shell having its upper and lower ends closed to the shell andprovided with holes at its lower portion open to the shell, a gas escapepipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder, and an oil outletleading from the bottom of the tank. 7. In an oil and gas separator, anupright tank having a closed top, fluid inlets at the central portion ofthe tank having means for effecting an initial separation of the oil andgas, a shell depending within the upper portion of the tank, inlets atthe upper portion of the shell having means for increasing the velocityof the fluid entering the shell from the tank, a separating cylinderdepending from the top of the tank within the shell having its upper andlower ends closed to the shell and provided with holes at its lowerportion open to the shell, a gas escape pipe leading from the 'upperportion of the cylinder, an oil outlet leading from the bottom of thetank, and a deflector in the cylinder below the entrance end of the gasescape pipe and opposite the holes in the cylinder.

8. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank having a closed top,fluid inlets at the central portion of the tank having means foreffecting an initial separation of the oil and gas, a shell dependingwithin the upper portion of the tank, inlets at the upper portion of theshell having means for increasing the velocity of the fluid entering theshell from the tank, a separating cylinder depending from the top of thetank within the shell having its upper and lower ends closed to theshell and provided witl1 holes at its lower portion open to theshell, agas escape pipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder, an oiloutlet leading from the bottom of the tank, and drain conductorsextending downwardly from the shell and cylinder.

9. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank having a closed top,fluid inlets at the central portion of the tank having means foreffecting an initial separation of the oil and gas, a shell dependingwithin the upper portion of the tank, inlets at the upper portion of theshell having means for increasing the velocity of the fluid entering theshell from the tank, a separating cylinder depending from the top of thetank within the shell having its upper and lower ends closed to theshell and provided with holes at its lower portion open to the shell, agas escape pipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder, an oiloutlet leading from the bottom of the tank,

a. deflector in the cylinder below the entrance end of the as escapepipe, and drain conductors exten ingn downwardly from the shell,cylinder and deflector. p

10. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank having a closed top,fluid inlets at the central portion of the tank having means forefiecting an initial separation of the oil and gas, a shell dependingWithin the upper por tion of the tank, inlets at the upper portion ofthe shell having means for increasing the velocity of the fluid enteringthe shell from the tank, a separating cylinder depending from the top ofthe tank within-the shell hav ing its upper .and lower ends closed tothe shell and provided with holes at its lower portion open to theshell, a gas escape pipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder,an oil outlet leading from'the bottom of the tank, and a liquid draintrough surrounding the cylinder above the inlet holes thereof.

. 11. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank having a closed top,fluid inlets at the central portion of the tank having means for eflecting an initial separation of the oil and gas, a shell dependingwithin the upper portion of the tank, inlets at the upper portion of theshell having means for increasing the velocity of the fluid entering theshell from the tank, a separatin cylinder depending from the top ofthetan within the shell hav- .ing its upper and lower ends closed to theshell and provided with holes at its lower portion open to the shell, agas escape pipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder, an oilout-let leading from the bottom oi the tank, a liquid drain troughsurrounding the cylinder above the inlet holes thereof, and a drain pipeleading from the trough.

12. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank having a closed top,fluid inlets at the central portion of the tank having means foreffecting an initial separation of the oil and gas, a shell dependingwithin the upper portion of the tank, inlets at the upper portion of theshell having means for increasing the velocity of the fluid entering theshell from the tank, a separating cylinder depending from the top of thetank within the shell having its upper and lower ends closed to theshell and provided witbholes at-its lower por- 1 tion open to the shell,a gas escape pipe leading from the upper portion of the cylinder, an oiloutlet lea ding from the bottom of the tank, a deflector in the cylinderbelow the entrance end of the gas escape pipe and opposite the holes inthe cylinder, liquid drain pipes leading from the cylinder anddeflector, a drain trough surrounding the cyhnder above the inlet holesthereof, and a drain conductor leading from the said trough.

13. In an Oil and gas separator, an upright tank havin fluid inlets, aseparating cylinder located in the tank and having inlet holes at itslower portion, a circular trough surrounding the cylinder above theinlet holes thereof, and admin leading from the trough.

14. In an oil and gas separator, the combination of an upright tankhaving a fluid inlet, a shell within the upper portion of the tankhaving a fluid inlet from the tank, a separating cylinder within theshell having a fluid inlet from the shell, a circular trough.

surrounding the cylinder, a drain conductor leading from thetrough, anda gas escape leading from the cylinder.

15. In an oil and gas separator, the combination of an upright tankvhaving a fluid inlet, a shell within the upper portion of the tankhaving a fluidinlet from the tank, a separating cylinder within theshell having a fluid inlet from the shell, a circular trough surroundingthe cylinder, a drain conductor leading from the trough, a drain troughat the bottom of the shell, a drain pipe leading from the drain troughof the shell, and agas escape leading from the cylinder.

16. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank having tangentiallydisposed fluid inlets, a shell depending in the tank and having animperforate lower portion substantially opposite said inlets and havingcircumferentially spaced inlet openings from the tank at its upperportion separated by imperforate portions of greater area, deflectorsextending along the inner wall of the shell beyond said openings anddischarging intermediate thereof in the direction of said fluid inletsand in a path parallel to said imperforate portion of the inner wall, agas escape pipe leading from the shell, and an oil outlet at the bottomof the tank.

17. In an oil and gas separator, the combination of an upright tankhaving an oil inlet at substantially its midheight provided with meanstangentially disposed igo direct the oil circumferentially around theinner wall of the tank, an upright shell within the top of the tanksubstantially opposite said inlet and having a closed bottom and itsside wall spaced from the tank to provide communication with the lowerportion of the tank, said shell being formed with a fluid inlet from thetank at its upper portion, a'

gas outlet from said shell, and a vertical portion of the tank forstopping the circumferential movement of the downward flowing oil.

18. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank having a restrictedvertical opening in ,baflle extendingtransversely across the lower i itsside near its central portion, a nozzle flared vertically to registerwith said opening and mounted on the outside of the tank tangentially tothe wall thereof, whereby the oil dc:

livered by said nozzle will be directed circumferentially with avertical spray within said tank and caused to flow helically down thewall of the tank while the oilladen gases will escape upwardly a closedshell depending from the top of the tank and having an il'nperforatewall extending upward from said nozzle and formed with inlets confinedto its upper portion, and a gas escape conductor leading from the shell.

19. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, an influent inletnozzle in the tank substantially its midheight, a shell within the tankclosed at its lower end and spaced from the tank side to form anopenpassage communicating with the lower portion of the tank, inlets at theupper portion of the shell communicating with said space, oil collectingmeans disposed within the shell for impact withtheoil laden gasesentering the shell inlets, a gas outlet comn'nmicating with the interiorof the shell, and an oil outlet from the lower portion of the tank.

20. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, vertically elongatedfluid inlets tan-' gentially disposed at the side of the tank atsubstantially its midheight to effect a primary separation, a shellwithin the tank above said inlets and having a closed bottom andimperforate side wall spaced from the tank to provide a passage for thefree downward flow of oil, fluid inlets at. the upper portion of theshell communicating with said passage, oil collecting means disposedwithin the shell for impact" with oil laden gases entering the shellinlets, a gas outlet communicating with the interior of the shell, andan oil outlet from the lower portion of the tank. Y

- 21. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, an influent inletnozzle in the tank arranged to direct said influent helically in saidtank and located at-such'an elevation as to cause the downwardly flowingfluids to travel a path around the tank of suflicient length topermitthe gaseous fluids to escape prior to reaching the oil level inthe tank,

the tank having a vertical annular scrubbing channel above the inletthrough which the gaseous fluids travel in a helical path, the tankhaving a scrubbing chamber at the upper end closed to the tank exceptfor openings at the upper end of said chamber for admitting the gaseousfluids only, means for draining extracted liquids from the scrubbingchamber to the lower end of the tank below louvres on the inner wall ofthe passage at the upper portion of said passage open to the risinfluids, an expansion chamber into which sai d fluids are discharged fromthe louvres,

bing elements between which the fluids are caused to pass in their flowto said outlet.

23. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, an influent inletnozzle at the mid-zone of the tank, whereby the liquids are caused totake a downward helical course and the lighter constituents rise fromsaid inlet at midzone in said tank, means at the upper end of the tankfor directing the lighter constituents of the influent circumferentiallyand further scrubbing out the liquids, and means for car rying off thegas from the upper central portion of the tank.

24. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, an influent nozzle atthe mid-zone of the tank disposed to direct the influentcircumferentially both upwardly and downwardly within the tank, wherebythe influent is directed helically within the tank to settle the liquidsand to cause the lighter constitucuts to rise to the upper portion ofthe tank, means at the upper end of the tank for diverting and directingthe lighter constituents into a segregated downward helical path forfurther scrubbing out the liquids, and means for carrying off the gas.from the upper central portion of the tank.

25. In an oil and gas separator, a tank, means for initially separatingthe lighter and heavier constituents of an oil and gas influent prior toentrance into said separating tank, and also for directing the influenthelically' within the tank both above and below the inlet, whereby theheavier fluids flow downwardly and the lighter -fluids flow upwardly,means for collecting and scrubbing the upflowing fluids to extractliquids therefrom, means for diverting the up-flowing fluids at theupper end of their travel, an expanding chamber into which said fluidsare diverted, means for again expanding and scrubbing said, fluids toextract liquids therefrom, and means for carrying off the gas.

26. In an oil and gas separator, a tank, inlet means at the side of thetank arranged to primarily segregate and direct the constituents of theinfluent and located at such an ele v atiou on the tank as to cause thefluids to spread helically above and below the inlet means, said inletmeans direc'ting the heavier fluids downwardly. and helically, wherebythey are freed from the gaseous fluid prior to settling in the tank,said inlet means also direct1ng the influent gaseous fluids upwardly andhelically in the tank, whereby they are freed from liquids, inner'andouter scrubbing chambers in the upper end of the tank having means foradmitting and for'downwardly diverting the upflowing gaseous fluids .forextract ng the liquids therefrom, means for conductlngthe extractedliquids to a'point below the influent entrance, and means for carryingoil the gas from the innermost scrubbing chamber.

27. In an oil and gas separator, a tank, means for primarily segregatingthe constituents of an influent and so directing said constituents uponentering the tank as to cause the fluids to spread helically above andbelow said means, whereby the heavier fluids are directed and caused totravel downwardly and to free the gaseous fluids prior to settling, saidmeans also directing and causing the gaseous fluids to travel 11 wardlyand heli cally and free heavier uids during such travel, inner and outerseparating chambers in the upper portion of the tank having inlets,

means at the outer side of the outer chamber inlets for diverting thegaseous fluids into said chamber and directing said fluidscircumfe'rentially therein, whereby liquids are extracted therefrom,means for conducting the extracted liquids to a point below the oillevel in the tank, and means for carrying oil the gas'from the innermostchamber.

28. In a fluid separator,'a tank,a closed shell within the tank having afluid inlet, means for draining liquids from the bottom of the shell,'agas escape pipe communicating with the shell, an upright baflle withinthe shell, and a mist extractor metnber surrounding the battle oppositethe inlet of the shell.

29. The method of separation which con- 7 sists in primarily segregatingthe constituents ous fluids into a downward helical path free from thepreceding path and at an increased I velocity for extracting liquids,then dircctin g said gaseous fluids horizontally and abruptly arrestingtheir passage for extracting addltional liquids, and then carrying ofl'the gas.

30. The method of separating oil and gas which consists in dischargingan influent helically within atank at such an elevation as to give thegaseous-constituents an opportunity to rise from the downwardly flowingliquids before the latter settle in the tank, conducting the gaseous andlighter constituents of the influent helically and upwardly in arestricted passage for scrubbing out liquids, then discharging saidconstituents tangentially into an expansion chamber andwhirling the samein said chamber for scrubbing out liquids, then changing the directionof flow of said constituents and bathing them to further scrub outliquids, and then carrying oif the gas.

31. The method of separating oil and gas which consists in dischargingan influent heliand also bafliing them to scrub out liquids,

and thn carryingofi' the gas.

32. The method of separating oil and gas which consists in dischargingan influent circumferentially within a tank at such an elevation as togive the gaseous constituent an opportunity to rise from the downwardlyflowing liquids before the latter settle in the tank, conducting thegaseous and lighter constituents of the influent upwardly and helicallyin a restricted passage for scrubbing out liquids, further treating saidconstituents by whirling them to scrub out liquids, and'then carryingoff the gas.

33. In anoil and gas separator, an upright tank, an influent nozzle inthe side of the tank for directing the influent circumferentially on theinner wall of the tank and located at such an elevation as to cause theheavier fluids to travel downwardly and the lighter fluids to travelupwardly, whereby gases are liberated from the heavier fluids prior tosettling of the liquids in the bottom of the tank, a shell closed at itsbottom and suspended in the tank and forming therewith a verticalannular restricted scrubbing chamber closed at its upper end.-'the shellhaving openings at its upper end for admitting the lighterr fluidsrising in the scrubbing chamber, means within the shell for causing thefluids to travel downwardly and then upwardly, and means for carrying011 the gases fromthe upper end of the tank.

34. In an oil and gas separator, an upright tank, an inlet nozzle in theside of the tank constructed to introduce the influent circumferentiallywithin the tank, a restricted annular scrubbin chamber above the nozzlefor-condueting tflelighter fluids upwardly helically from the nozzle,means for whirling the fluids received from the chambercircumferentially within the upper portion of the tank, and means forcarrying 011' the from the upper portion of the tank.

35. The method of separation which consists in primarily segregating anddirecting the constituents" of an influent at such an elevation uponentering a container and above the liquid level therein as to'cause thefluids to spread helically above and *below the inlet,

whereby the heavier fluids travel downwardly and free the gaseous fluidsprior to I settling, and also whereby the gaseous fluids I travelupwardly and helically, conducting the gaseous fluids through arestricted channel during their upward helical travel and freeing themof heavier fluids during such upward travel, then diverting the gaseousfluids at the upper end of their helical travel and conducting themdownwardly and up wardly through outer and inner chambers for extractingthe liquids therefrom. then con 10 ducting the extracted liquids fromthe chamhers, and then carrying off the gas from the top of thecontainer.

36. The method of separation which consists in directing an influentcircumferentially Within a container at such an elevation above theliquid level therein as to cause the fluids to spread helically aboveand below the inlet, whereby the heavier fluids travel down- Wardly andfree the gaseous fluids prior to a settling, and also whereby thegaseous fluids travel upwardly and helically, conducting the gaseousfluids through a restricted channel during their upward helical traveland freeing them of heavier fluids during such travel, then divertingthe gaseous fluids at the upper end of their helical travel, then conducting said gaseous fluids downwardly in a restricted channel through acomparatively long path, then conducting the gaseous fluids upwardly,carrying off the extracted liquids,

and then carrying off the gas.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature.

JAY 'P. WALKER.

